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gary sausmikat
76 articles

"Down but Not Out", USMC Piper NE-1

February 15, 2024 · in Diorama · · 38 · 430
This article is part of a series:
  1. Wingnut Wings Albatros D.V
  2. Hiding From the Jabos!
  3. 1/35, AFV Club, Stuart M5A1 (early), USMC.
  4. Pzkfw IV Ausf D, 1/35, Tamiya
  5. Saturday, Dec 6th, 1941…
  6. A Day at the Museum…
  7. 10th Mountain, M-29 Weasel
  8. Comrades!
  9. “Let me at ’em”
  10. P-40E Diorama
  11. "Forward To Destiny"
  12. “PATROL”…Empire of Japan Group Build, Type 97 Chi-Ha.
  13. "Luftwaffe Group Build Vignette"
  14. HETZER: Tamiya 1/48
  15. U.S. M20 Vignette
  16. "Down but Not Out", USMC Piper NE-1
  17. WC-54 Ambulance Vignette: “War and a Piece”

Hello All,

My latest diorama, titled, “Down but Not Out”, depicting an USMC based in the Pacific.

This was a simultaneous build along with my Jim Sullivan GB, Piper NE-1. The diorama portion was the major portion of this project but it's complete and I am finally posting.
If you are looking to build a Piper J-3, L-4 or NE-1 the kit is a smooth, enjoyable build with plenty of detail for a small aircraft.

Thanks for taking a look. Until next time KEEP IT FUN!

AIRCRAFT BUILD:
Special Hobby, , J-3 Cub Goes to War
CMK L-4 Grasshopper Engine (Continental O-170-3)
DKdecals 48019 Piper L-4H/NE-1
EZ Line Fine for rigging

DIORAMA:
Ground work is Celuclay, sand, dirt and ground vegetation from my diorama supply stash.

Palm trees scratch built with Sculpey Clay trunks and feathers for leaves/fronds. Tree trunk walls also from Sculpey Clay.

Tom's Modelworks WWII Marston Runway Matting
MiniArt Field Workshop (Cutting Torch Equipment, Ladder and various Tools)
Miscellaneous spares box equipment.

Damaged Wing created from a Hobbycraft J-3 kit wing. Modified with scratch built wing tip and damaged section.

Figures were “kit bashed” and re-positioned from various figures given to me by a fellow iModeler and spares box.

PAINTS:
Aircraft:
AK Real Color;
RC023 Olive Drab
RC257 Sea Blue
RC258 Dark Sea Blue
RC261 Neutral Grey 43

Figures:
Vallejo Model Color;
Dark Green 893
Tan Yellow 912
Khaki 988
German Cam Black Brown 822

Scale Color Artist;
Buff 13
Olive Green 35
Raw Umber 40

Life Color;
Flesh Tones

Reader reactions:
15  Awesome 6  7 

17 additional images. Click to enlarge.


38 responses

  1. Very impressive work on every aspect of this diorama !

  2. Definitely telling a story of crafty midnight requisitioning. I'm sure the Army guys are wondering where the left wing of their L-4 went to.

  3. That is really a great idea Gary, @gwskat, and very well executed. Great work on the display, and one immediately gets the story and then gets to enjoy the side notes going on throughout the diorama. Well done.

  4. That is an excellent project! Love all the details, and the Piper looks fantastic - love that patch-work paint scheme. Well done!

  5. One of your best dioramas, @gwskat. A story with all elements told perfectly. And yes, the "midnight requisitioning" is a nice little chuckle.

  6. very very nice! What brand of palm tree did you use?

  7. A fantastic diorama, Gary @gwskat
    So many wonderful details to look at, it clearly shows the daily life of those men.

  8. An awesome diorama with a story to tell, Gary!
    Congratulations!

  9. Awesome work as usual Gary, hope to see it live in Cleveland?

  10. Very nice, Gary. Good to see one built in something other then army colors.

  11. gary sausmikat (@gwskat)
    You hit a home run with this one ! I'm happy to see you were able to use the figures I sent you for this. I didn't know what you had planned for them, but you made them look very realistic. I will never look at Monogram figures the same anymore after seeing how nice you were able to make them look.

    The scratched palm trees look very good too. I can see myself trying to make a few of them in the future.

    This diorama has a little of everything in it, and each time I look closer at it, I notice something new... like the Army wing on a USMC plane. Scotch / Water, cigarettes, and the obligatory pinup gals... all mandatory items in the PTO.

    Well done buddy ! I'm definitely clicking on several of the various "like" buttons. You hit a home run with it.

    Jim Sullivan would be proud.

    Thank you for contributing to the group.

  12. That's a really cool diorama. I like it.

  13. Great little diorama, Gary, got to love those palm trees.

  14. Beautiful build, incredible details bring the whole scene to life. Well done!

  15. Well laid out, balances great, great finish on all elements, what's not to like? Wicked good job sir

  16. Amazing work Gary (@gwskat), not sure how I did not see this post earlier.
    All the details well attended to...love the wooden prop and the beat up oil drip pan, the palm trees, etc. etc.

  17. Very nice diorama, and excellent detailing. Well done Gary.

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